Praying You Through This Storm!

A wonderful video put together by my friend Kaylin. She lives in Colorado Springs where the wildfires - the fire storms - are bringing danger and disaster. Yet, through it all God can still be praised. As Kaylin puts it - God is for me. Yes, Kaylin, He is. We continue to pray for you from here in Florida. I love you, sweetie! Praying you through this storm!

Heritage Society Winter Ball, 2012

For a couple years now, Kali and I have wanted to attend one of the Heritage Society's balls.
Last month they hosted the 2012 Winter Ball and we were able to go! Yay!!!

The English-Country style dance began with the Grand March, where all the dancers walked in a large circle, and strolled the entire room.

I'm sure there is probably a better/more correct way to explain the Grand March.

It was beautiful! I got to see all the lovely gowns, and wonderful suits, but I also got to see so many of our
debate/speech family that I hadn't seen in a long time! It was marvelous!


Just as the serious dancing was about to begin - I saw this beautiful lady (Kali and I absolutely love her!) -
and she saw me with my camera! Hug-time all around!

Then it was on to the dancing! This wonderful lady (one of debate/speech moms) called the dances.
Doubt that I could ever do that, although I did get to start the music once so she could dance with her husband :).

One of the things I really liked about this group was that you had a number of dance partners. You could change every song.
And, the gentlemen are expected to ask the ladies to dance.

The dances are structured - choreographed, if you will. The caller tells you exactly what to do. And it's beautiful
because the entire ballroom is filled with dancers, all moving in sync, and having the time of their lives!




During the intermission we had time to visit with our friends - and snap a few shots :).

Another thing I like about this dancing is it includes all ages.

The young guys get a chance to be gentlemen, and learn social skills all at the same time - with no pressure, and in complete acceptance!

Good friends. Family really.

There's nothing better!

Kali got to attend her first ball! We can't wait for the Magnolia Ball date to be announced!

If you'd like to watch some videos from the Winter Ball, here is a link to my youtube page! Have fun!

The Palm Project - Embracing True Beauty

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem?
Regardless of the age, most women struggle with self-esteem at some point in their lives.

Meet Madeleine and Emily. They are from Texas. Madeleine struggled with bulimia and with the "need" to be perfect, because that's what the world tends to expect of us.

Emily struggled with a speech defect and sat on the edge of anorexia.

Then both girls learned that they were treasured, that they were sacred, that they were loved.
They believe the ONLY standard women should hold themselves up to is the Word of God. We are made in the image of the creator and He deems each of us beautiful! As Christians we are being perfected daily into His image.

This past Sunday, just 5 short days ago, Madeleine and Emily started The Palm Project on facebook. They seek to inspire girls/women to embrace the fact that they are beautiful - because they are God's creation!!! It isn't the things of this world that make us beautiful. It's true inward beauty. Madeleine and Emily are using the Palm Project page to be an encouragement, and to be an encourager. They ask you to share your testimony, post links of encouraging blogs or videos, post your own "palm picture", or share scripture!


Even us older women need encouragement. I have struggled for years with weight and low self esteem. It's important for even me to remember that I am beautiful because I am God's.

It's been 5 days. The Palm Project page already has 450 people watching, sharing photos, and sharing encouraging stories of self worth and beauty. Please take a minute right now to go to www.facebook.com and look up The Palm Project. Be prepared to be encouraged, inspired, loved, and understood.

American Soldier by Toby Keith

In honor of the 31 troops killed in Afghanistan this morning when their chopped was shot down during a rescue mission.
More than twenty of the troops were Navy Seals, from the same unit that carried out the raid that killed Bin Laden back in May.
Laying their lives on the the line every day - for you and for me - the American soldier should be heroes to us all.
Lift a prayer for them as you watch this video.

One Beautiful Spring Day

I've gotten so far behind with my posts. Kali and I have been on the road for almost a solid month. Got back home last night. Slept till almost 11:30 this morning and have been alseep over the keyboard pretty much the whole time since.

Anyway. I've been wanting to post these pictures for a long time. This was my third time shooting pictures of this family. So precious.

The first thing I always notice when I see them together - they are always smiling or laughing.

Their marriage has been blessed - you can see how in this photo :). Beautiful boys!

Not one to sit still for long, he's off like a shot with big brother on his heels, trying to catch him.

I think this was my favorite shot of the day! Such innocence, yet clearly up for a little bit of mischief - hahahaha!

One precious little fellow. Full of curiousness. Full of delight and spirit and happiness and joy.

What a great little wagon he brought with him! I tried to get big brother to pull me around the park for a change of scenery. Oh well.

The absolute joy and delight of being a  mother. Thanks for asking me to document your family, Krissy! It was my pleasure!

Senior Prom, 2011

A group of students asked me to come take pictures of them as they prepared to leave for prom. I took 294 pictures of this group of fifteen. I picked out the best ones and edited them in a variety of formats. Then I decided to pick the 5 that I liked best, and post those here. Trying out a new brush with my blog name. I think I like the way it looks. Anyway, here are my 5 top picks.




This last photo is one of my all-time favorite shots. They had no idea I was clicking this shot - so it was a truly natural, unposed shot. I can't believe I trimmed 294 pictures down to this five! And, yes, I did notice that three of the pictures are of the same young lady. What can I say - she's photogenic :). And beautiful!

In His Wakes Ministries

In His Wakes is a unique, exciting and impacting non-profit ministry that uses water sports to share the love of Christ in a most powerful and interactive way. In His Wakes is fueled by three passions ... people, water sports and Jesus Christ. If you share any of these passions, you are sure to be blessed by this ministry! (Copied from the In His Wakes website.)

The mission of In His Wakes is to introduce people to the life changing power of Jesus Christ through the avenue of water sports. A Day to Remember provides an opportunity of a lifetime for predominately at-risk youth by giving them an unforgettable day on the water. This is just one small way In His Wakes reaches out to impact today's youth.

Their motto? Victory comes when you get off the dock! Get off the dock to experience His victory, His hope, and His purpose.

I was invited to attend In His Wakes' annual fundraiser/banquet/auction a couple days ago. They were having a silent auction, a live auction, a banquet, and some inspirational speakers.

The tables were decorated to represent various locations around the world. Each table was unique and lovely.



A lot of thought and work went into these tables. They were beautiful!


As people arrived, they were able to peruse the silent auction items and begin placing bids.

Items were donated by locals businesses, and individuals wanting to do something to help raise money for the IHW Ministries.

Many, many items were donated. Gift baskets, dremel tools, ski equipment, photography packages, Disney World and Sea World tickets, restaurant packages, vacation deals, and much, much more.

In His Wakes was founded by Slalom World Record Holder Kristi Overton Johnson, who holds over 80 professional water ski titles.



Special memories in the making.

Founder Kristi Overton Johnson welcomed everyone and . . .

. . . her husband Tim prayed a blessing over the banquet.

The meal was catered by Blue Water Bay, and it was excellent!

This is a shot of Kristi's dad. (Her mom was in the picture just above - the first lady in the serving line with the dark jacket on.)


After we ate, the Day to Remember Coordinator Nate Miller opened the program by telling us a bit about his duties and the Day to Remember program.

We were blessed to have four participants of the program attend the banquet. They were each given an opportunity to tell us what their time in the program meant to them.

If you visit the website, you will see this young man having the time of his life in the water!

Then we moved on to the live auction. Cookies, pie, birdhouses, squirrel feeders, Disney tickets, an awesome painting, and a Myrtle Beach vacation were auctioned.

It was a great night for everyone there! Great food, great fellowship, a good time of learning, and being able to actually do something to help further the ministry. Thanks for asking me to come along and document the night! I really enjoyed the silent auction where I bought an Italian Cream Cake (delicious doesn't even begin to describe it!), a day with a local photographer, and two annual passes to Sea World!

If you would like more information about In His Wakes Ministries, please visit them at www.inhiswakes.com. If you would like to know how you can support their ministry, please visit their Partners page on the site for more information.